[Video/chinadaily.com.cn]

A new canal tourism program, known as the "Canal No 1 tourism cruise", made its maiden voyage on Sept 27 from Jining in Shandong province.

The program features a fleet of themed cruise boats inspired by Confucian and Shandong culture. They connect wetlands, wharves, scenic spots and historic neighborhoods along the route, offering visitors a new way to experience the cultural heritage of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal.

The launch is part of Shandong's ongoing "transport + tourism" initiative, which has introduced a number of tourism routes and products, including the Qilu No 1 tourism train and Genghai No 1 ferry.

As a new addition to the initiative, the cruise will help connect more cultural and tourism resources along the Grand Canal, bringing its centuries-old heritage to life through new ways of traveling and exploring.